Senior Online Scam Alerts – May 2026
Recent senior-scam news from May 2026: 73 stories from across the United States, tagged by state, scam type, story kind, and AI. Click a tag to open the related page on this site, or use the filters below.
Elderly man scammed once is targeted again by the same con artists
After an older man lost money, the same scammers came back and tried to strike a second time.
How to protect your aging parents from identity theft and elder fraud
Experts share simple steps families can take to shield older parents from identity theft and elder fraud.
5 financial scams targeting seniors right now that often begin with a text or phone call
Older adults reported a record $7.7 billion stolen last year, often after a single urgent text or call.
Here's how Illinois is stepping up to help seniors
Illinois is adding new safeguards to help protect older residents from financial abuse and scams.
Saratoga County hosts elder fraud awareness events in June
A New York sheriff's office will hold two June talks to help older adults spot scams after a recent local case.
Senior scams are 'escalating rapidly' in these 3 major Tennessee cities
A report finds elder fraud surging in Nashville, Memphis and Knoxville, with $108 million lost statewide in 2025.
Free online site helps older adults combat fraud and legal issues
A new free online tool in Utah helps older adults spot fraud and legal problems early and find help.
Florida retiree loses $135K as senior scam cases surge
A Florida retiree lost $135,000 to a scam as cases targeting older adults continue to climb.
FBI agent: 'They will attack you if you have money'
An FBI agent warned a New Jersey seminar that anyone over 65 with money is a target for scammers.
Beware of this scam targeting seniors' bank accounts
A warning about a scam aimed at draining seniors' bank accounts, and how to spot the warning signs.
Cape Coral senior loses nearly $4K to bank imposter scam
A Cape Coral senior lost nearly $4,000 to a caller posing as their bank before a news team stepped in.
The senior scam epidemic: How Utah retirees are losing six figures
A look at how Utah retirees are losing six-figure sums to scams, and steps families can take to prepare.
Free senior and veteran protection event offers scam prevention tactics
A free local event will teach seniors and veterans practical ways to spot and avoid common scams.
Text scam targeting online banking emerges in Maine
A new text scam is spreading in Maine, pretending to be your bank to steal online banking logins.
'Seniors don't do this': Jacksonville woman scammed out of thousands
A Jacksonville, Florida woman shares how she was scammed out of thousands so other seniors can avoid the same.
Coachella Valley organizations step up senior scam education
California advocacy groups are expanding seminars to help seniors and caregivers spot scams before they lose money.
Program to teach seniors how to detect, prevent, and report Medicare fraud
A new program will teach Texas seniors how to spot, prevent, and report Medicare fraud and billing scams.
Retired Covina, California couple loses $845,000 in scam
A retired Covina, California couple lost $845,000 of their savings after callers posing as postal and FBI officials.
Trending Scams and Fraud Prevention for Older Adults
The FDIC is hosting a free session on trending scams and how older adults can protect themselves from fraud.
New details emerge after death of Bermuda Dunes elderly couple targeted by online scam
A Bermuda Dunes wife, 79, believed she was talking to a celebrity online; the elderly couple was later found dead.
Medicare scam ads targeting seniors face scrutiny
Social media ads impersonating Medicare to target seniors are drawing fresh scrutiny over how scams reach older adults.
Scammers are pretending to be from the CRA. Here is how to spot them
The Canada Revenue Agency explains how to recognize scammers who impersonate the agency to pressure people for money.
FBI warns deepfake kidnappings and voice clones target seniors
The FBI warns that scammers now use AI to clone voices and fake kidnappings, pressuring seniors to pay fast.
Radio Sidney documentary shines light on reality of elder financial abuse
A new Sidney, B.C. documentary tells a true story to raise awareness of elder financial abuse and how to prevent it.
New Yorkers lost more than $700 million to fraud last year
New Yorkers lost over $700 million to fraud last year, with older residents increasingly targeted, officials say.
FBI issues scam alert for seniors
The FBI has issued a new alert urging seniors to stay alert to scams targeting older adults.
Welfare check saves Moreau woman from $20K scam
A police welfare check stopped a Moreau, New York woman from losing $20,000 to scammers just in time.
New scam: AI crooks spoof trusted numbers to steal your Medicare data
Scammers use AI to spoof trusted phone numbers, posing as Medicare to steal older adults' information.
Florida ranks 12th in senior fraud cases nationwide
A new study finds Florida ranks 12th nationwide for fraud cases involving people age 60 and older.
Banks oppose bill to prevent fraud on elderly, disabled
Illinois lawmakers push a bill requiring banks to report suspected financial exploitation of older adults.
Your 401(k) is the new identity theft target
Experts warn retirement accounts are a growing target for identity thieves, urging savers to protect them.
Westerville fraud case serves as warning about sophisticated scam artists targeting older adults
An Ohio fraud case warns how sophisticated scammers are increasingly targeting older adults.
FBI to share information, resources on elder fraud schemes at Warren Library
The FBI will host a library session in Warren, Ohio to share resources on spotting elder fraud schemes.
Seniors targeted: FBI issues cyber attack advice for the over 60s
The FBI offers cyber safety advice for adults over 60 as online attacks against seniors keep rising.
Where in the US are seniors most often scammed?
A new study ranks where older Americans face the highest rates of reported fraud across the country.
Elderly fraud scams increasing, new report says
A new report finds fraud against older adults is on the rise, with losses climbing year after year.
Elder fraud meets AI and romance scams at banks
A new bank training program helps staff recognize AI-driven and romance scams that target older customers.
Scammers target older adult victims
The FBI warns that scammers are increasingly targeting older adults and urges families to stay alert.
AI-driven scams exploit Medicare changes to target seniors
Scammers use AI to pose as Medicare and exploit recent changes, pressuring seniors to share personal details.
Fraudsters scam elderly man out of $25K, claiming his account was linked to a crime
An elderly man lost $25,000 after fraudsters falsely claimed his bank account was tied to illegal activity.
FBI Norfolk recognizes National Senior Fraud Awareness Day
The FBI marks National Senior Fraud Awareness Day with tips to help older adults avoid common scams.
California elder scammed out of $25K in bank fraud scheme
An older Ventura County resident lost $25,000 after a text message tricked them into a fake bank fraud scheme.
Protecting senior investors from scams becomes a priority
Industry experts share practical steps firms can take to spot and protect older investors from fraud.
Georgia Secretary of State brings 'Savvy Senior' financial wellness and fraud awareness event
Georgia officials launch a financial wellness and fraud awareness event to help older adults stay safe.
Bill to prevent fraud on elderly, disabled opposed by financial institutions
A proposed law to help banks pause suspicious transfers for older customers faces pushback from financial institutions.
Scammers fleece vulnerable senior out of $25K
Scammers in Southern California cheated a vulnerable senior out of $25,000.
Report finds Facebook swamped with Medicare scam ads targeting seniors
A new report finds Facebook flooded with fake Medicare ads designed to trick seniors out of money.
Experts warn AI is making romance scams more convincing than ever
Experts say AI now makes fake online romances look and sound real, putting lonely seniors at greater risk.
Where seniors are targeted by scams: 2026 study
A new study ranks which states report the highest rates of scams against residents age 60 and older.
MP to host a seniors cyber security information session
A local lawmaker is hosting a free session to help seniors stay safe from online scams and fraud.
Older adults lose huge amounts in scams
Better Business Bureau data shows older adults are losing especially large sums when they fall for scams.
Fake QR codes are fueling a new wave of senior scams
Criminals are placing fake QR codes that send seniors to scam websites or steal their payment details.
Recovery fraud alert: scammers stole $1M from an elderly man
An elderly man lost $1 million to scammers, a warning about recovery fraud that promises to retrieve lost money.
You're not imagining it, online scams are everywhere
Research shows social media platforms profit from scam ads that target older adults, and most cases go unreported.
AI voice clone scams are becoming harder for seniors to detect
Scammers now copy a loved one's voice with AI, making fake emergency calls much harder for seniors to spot.
Scammers are targeting seniors, and AI is fueling it
Experts warn that AI tools are helping criminals craft more convincing scams aimed at older adults.
Identity theft losses surge 70% for older Americans
Identity theft losses for older Americans have jumped about 70%, with tips on how to protect yourself.
Houston woman scammed out of $90,000 shares warning for seniors
A Houston woman who lost $90,000 to a scam now shares her story to help other seniors stay safe.
Spike in elder financial abuse renews calls to designate a trusted contact person
A rise in elder financial abuse prompts advice for seniors to name a trusted contact at their bank or brokerage.
Better Business Bureau: older adults often lose huge amounts in scams
The Better Business Bureau reports older adults, though targeted less often, tend to lose much larger sums to scams.
Seniors vs. Crime: jail scams target inmates' families
A consumer column warns that scammers posing as jail or legal officials pressure families to pay fake bail money.
Scams against adults 55 and older on the rise in North Alabama
New Better Business Bureau data shows reports from adults 55 and older are up about 10% since 2023 in North Alabama.
Carlsbad roofer launches online tool to fight predatory 'scare tactic' scams on seniors
A California business leader launches a tool to help seniors avoid roofers who overquote repairs by thousands of dollars.
Scammers shift tactics, now using couriers to collect cash at victims' homes
San Diego's district attorney warns that criminals now send couriers to seniors' homes to pick up cash in person.
Elderly Orange County man loses $25K in scam involving call from fake police chief
An Orange County man lost $25,000 after a caller posing as a police chief pressured him during an elaborate scam.
Banks ramp up in-person seminars to shield older customers from fraud
Banks report a packed elder-fraud seminar and a growing scam where crooks forge deeds to steal seniors' homes.
Manitoba seniors lose over $30K in targeted scam: police
Police say seniors in Manitoba lost more than $30,000 to a scam that targeted them directly.
Older Coloradans get backup fending off scammers
Colorado passed a law letting banks pause suspicious transactions to protect adults 70 and older from scams.
As Digital Fraud Booms, Advocates Warn of Continued Low-Tech Threats
Even as online fraud grows, experts warn thieves still steal personal details from mail and trash to commit fraud.
Community Mental Health assists elderly victims of online scams
A Michigan mental health agency is helping seniors cope with distress after losing money to online scams.
TruVista presents Internet Safety Curriculum to Rotary
A local company shared an internet safety curriculum with a Rotary club to help residents stay safe online.
Medicare Alert: The 'Urinary Catheter' Billing Scam That's Costing Seniors Thousands
A Medicare billing scam charges seniors for catheters they never ordered, draining thousands from their accounts.